Former Rep Jesse Jackson Jr Heading to Prison

In 2011, Judicial Watch posted a list of the Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians for the year. Number 6 on the list was President Barack Obama. Ahead of him at number 5 was the Rep Jesse Jackson Jr, son of the infamous civil rights preacher Jesse Jackson.

Jackson Jr is not the brightest apple in politics, but considering the tree he fell from it’s no surprise. In 2011, he urged Obama to declare a national state of emergency and enact his jobs plan. His plan was for the federal government to hire 15 million out of work Americans and pay them $40,000 per year for five years. He claimed that it would only cost $804 billion dollars, but it doesn’t take a math genius to figure out that $40,000 times 15 million people for 5 years equals $3 trillion.

Jackson Jr obviously has a problem with numbers and money. As a US Representative, Jackson Jr made a minimum of $133,600 a year plus all of the perks that go with the office. Sandra Jackson, his wife was a Chicago alderman who made over $100,000 per year. Evidently, that wasn’t enough for the two politicians who claimed to be serving the poor blacks of Chicago.

Federal investigators easily discovered that the Chicago congressman had been dipping his fingers in his campaign till. Not only was Jackson Jr stealing money from his campaign but was so was Sandra. His former friend and one time main fundraiser Raghuveer Nayak was also arrested and charged with fraud and tax offenses.

Finding the evidence overwhelming, both Jackson Jr and Sandra pleaded guilty to the criminal charges of illegally using campaign funds for personal gain. Sandra stole a mere $168,000 from the campaign fund, while her hubby pilfered a whopping $750,000. Among the 3,100 personal lavishes that were financed with campaign funds between 2005 to April 2012, were fur capes and parkas purchased by Sandra for $5,150. Jesse Jr used $9,587.64 of campaign funds to buy children’s furniture and another $43,350 for a gold-plated Rolex watch. The couple used Campaign credit cards to purchase $582,772 worth of person items, $60,857 for restuarants, lounges, nightclubs and gym memberships, $5,814 for alcohol and $14,513 for dry cleaning. Additionally, his campaign fund paid Sandra’s consulting firm $5,000 a week during the entire time of his indiscretions. The consulting fees totaled up to over $340,000.

As part of the plea deal, Sandra has been ordered to pay restitution of $168,000 and Jesse Jr has been ordered to pay restitution of $750,000. Federal prosecutors have recommended that Sandra also serve 18 months in prison and Jesse Jr serve 48 months in prison. They also recommend that Sandra serve her sentence first and then Jesse since the couple have kids. If you asked me, both parents should serve time together and the kids would be much better off living with someone else that might help instill better values and morals.

Jackson Jr’s attorney is arguing for a more lenient sentence because Jr’s mental health could get worse from being in prison. Oh really? His mental health had no problems stealing three-quarter of a million dollars from his campaign, some of which came from his poorer constituents. After all, if you do the crime, be prepared to do the time. Now if only someone could figure out a way for his dad to join him in prison.